IC 31-34-10-3 — Appointment of guardian ad litem or court appointed special advocate
Chapter 10. Initial Hearing on Child in Need of Services Petition and Issuance of Summons
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Section text
Sec. 3. Before complying with the other requirements of this chapter, the juvenile court shall first determine whether the following conditions make it appropriate to appoint a guardian ad litem or a court appointed special advocate, or both, for the child: (1) If the child is alleged to be a child in need of services: (A) under IC 31-34-1-6; (B) under IC 31-34-1-10 or IC 31-34-1-11; (C) due to the inability, refusal, or neglect of the child's parent, guardian, or custodian to supply the child with the necessary medical care; or (D) because the location of both of the child's parents is unknown; the court shall appoint a guardian ad litem or court appointed special advocate, or both, for the child. (2) If the child is alleged to be a child in need of services under: (A) IC 31-34-1-1; (B) IC 31-34-1-2; (C) IC 31-34-1-3; (D) IC 31-34-1-3.5; (E) IC 31-34-1-4; (F) IC 31-34-1-5; (G) IC 31-34-1-7; or (H) IC 31-34-1-8; the court shall appoint a guardian ad litem, court appointed special advocate, or both, for the child. (3) If the parent, guardian, or custodian of a child denies the allegations of a petition under section 6 of this chapter, the court shall appoint a guardian ad litem, court appointed special advocate, or both, for the child.
As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.17. Amended by P.L.234-2005, SEC.180; P.L.46-2016, SEC.10; P.L.183-2017, SEC.43; P.L.86-2018, SEC.220.
Source: official publisher (2026 edition)